Giving Compass' Take:

• The author provides a list of five philanthropy books that cover everything from international aid and microcredit to social programming and the barriers for nonprofit organizations. 

• Some of these books focus on more nuanced subjects of philanthropy or take on controversial viewpoints. Why is it important for donors to understand alternative or critical perspectives in the sector?

• Read PhilanTopic's review of Leslie Crutchfield’s book called “How Change Happens: Why Some Movements Succeed While Others Don’t”. 

The study and analysis of philanthropy has been growing the past ten years. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University puts out studies on the impact of gender, the composition of donor-advised funds and more. I’ve put together five fascinating books that look at varying aspects of philanthropy. I am using the term philanthropy broadly to include international aid, microcredit, and social programming.

  • Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against Global Poverty by Muhammad Yunus: Muhammad Yunus is a big name in international philanthropy and development. He’s the maestro of microcredit. In this text, Yunus describes why he started Grameen bank and how it provided a sustainable model of microcredit.
  • Dead Aid: Why It Is Not Working and Why There Is A Better Way For Africa by Dambiso Moyo: This work is interesting to pair with Yunus’s work. Dead Aid presents a controversial thesis: aid to Africa has hurt the continent more than it has helped. Moyo, a former economist with the World Bank, argues that 60 years of aid have not helped the region grow but have encouraged dependency and corruption.
  • A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn: The book examines specific programs like early childhood programs and neuroscience of philanthropy, while also talking about the importance of accountability and research to understand philanthropic impact.
  • Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential by Dan Pollentta: The basic premise is that the way society and government treats nonprofits has hurt their ability to solve major problems of the world.
  • Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams: In Twenty Years, she chronicles her life and her decision to found the Hull House. Addams, along with the residents of the house, developed programming and services to provide for the neighborhood.

Read the full article about philanthropy books by Elisa Shoenberger at Book Riot